Capt Nemo o2

Hope this helps clarify for some people...

whalebird

I have been using the filter boxed as a Purolator. When removed it has Mann written on it. I don't think it is the fleece variety pictured above, but I would definitly want the fleece if available.
I will never go 13k miles between oil changes regardless of filter. Thats rediculous.

mleskovar

Very interesting. I checked with two dealers and three parts suppliers. No fleece for the M271 motor, only the V6 motors. That doesn't make sense. Everything I've read about FSS and extended oil change intervals for MB motors specifies fleece. I wonder if that's why there's head problems with the 4 cylinder motors. I would change the filter out at 6K miles if paper is all that is available. Has anyone done an oil analysis on their M271 motor at a 13K oil change interval?

Jeff W

I changed the oil today in my M271. I bought it used, and this is the first time I have changed its oil. It had the paper filter. I have a sample ready to send to Blackstone. I'll keep you posted.
Since it looks like we are stuck with paper filters, I am figuring on 6500 mile oil changes.
I am sending a letter to MBUSA regarding the sticker saying fleece is required, and the
unavailability of fleece filters.

Glyn M Ruck

Thanks for posting. It's of little help. Gives no recommendation for life of such filter or the complication of some filters under this designation being paper & some being fleece. I want to know what mileage Benz want to run this filter for. Maybe they would like to see shorter oil change interval on the M271 because it is a highly stressed engine with durability problems??

Benzben

While my car was under warranty, I always took it to the dealer for Service A's and B's (if for no other reason than to avoid any allegations regarding how I was changing the oil if any problems ever developed). My SA never once mentioned a shorter change interval, and never discussed any differences/issues between fleece and paper filters.

Now that it's out of warranty and in light of all this, I'm definitely going no more than 6500 miles between changes.

Glyn M Ruck

Benzben - we will get to the bottom of this & put everybody's mind at rest. This situation is less than satisfactory

Capt Nemo o2

Well, the point of it was that the part number that is apparently the fleece filter is no longer available, therefore its a moot point as far which filter to get. Its possible to find out from MBUSA if they could inform us of the best thing to do since the recommendation in the manual says to only use a filter that no longer exists!

LILBENZ230

I had the purolator MANN filter in my car for 13,000 miles last time. When it was in for service, the filter had held up well. I'm no expert, but it wasn't crumbling. It was identical to the filter the dealer had. Now my car is running the Hengst filter. Perhaps I'll have that changed out if anyone can point me to a fleece one. Can't wait for the resolution.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - crazy isn't it - The original part number is however available in ROW - So????

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - Purolator & K&N were repackaging the Mann fleece filter - wonder what they are doing now? - maybe you should stock up on those until someone resolves the issue.

Ausmbtech

Answer to the original question, it doesn't matter which way the filter is installed for a M271. I always like installing filter with text facing down, but it's the same reason I like puting the oil cap back on so that the text is facing the front......just because it looks more professional.

As for fleece filters.

Fleece filters are only for M112/113/272/273. If you have the option of installing one then do so, paper is ok but not for the extended interval.

M271, M156, M166, M266, diesels and earlier engines use a paper filter. DO NOT use a fleece filter in a diesel engine (they physically can be interchanged).

Use the designated filter for the application it was intended and you won't have anything to worry about!

Glyn M Ruck

Fleece filters were/are for use in M271 - They were & are available and there is a decal under the hood of many M271 powered vehicles stating that they are all you should use for FSS and 20,000Km or 13,000 mile drain intervals. And it is in the Service Products handbook & certain owner's manuals.

In South Africa we only use fleece in M271 - part number above - and change at 15,000 Km - torrid zone in MB speak.

Agree paper is OK but not for extended drain - The Americans are doing 20,000Km drain on Hengst paper???
Understand no fleece in Diesels - with particulates will clog (excessive differential across the media) at new 30,000 Km drain with 229,51 approved oils.

Jeff W

Since the dealers don't seem to have a clue, I sent a letter to MBUSA asking about this issue. It will be interesting to hear their response. I'll keep you posted.

Ausmbtech

And that's why I love this forum, you learn all the differences from around the world. We don't have the decal or fleece filters for M271 in Australia. I'm always learning new stuff with MB

BF_JC230

This is what I saved and documented a while ago...

Paul does not share his last name...I am also waiting to see our new responce here!

Thanks,
Jake

amanonfire

I've been using the paper filters for 15K kms oil changes, they always come out in good condition, not like the thread that was linked. I used an aftermarket filter this time, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it.

Glyn M Ruck

Just to make things more interesting from Hengst published data:

These are the filter types being sold by them generally for automotive non commercial vehicles. They are produced from cellulose - i.e. paper & should cost half of what a Mann polyester "fleece" filter does or less. These are the yellow jobs that you are all starting to see. There are no ways I would run one for 20,000 Kms or 13,000 miles.



Hengst also claim to make blown polyester "fleece" type filters - look familiar? - yes it should - it looks just like the Mann + Hummel fleece filter using the same technology. It looks the same & is either bought in from Mann or a copy of their technology - This is not the yellow paper job you are buying. It is white & the media is thick just like Mann.

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...1&d=1235595446

This is the filter Bosch is selling - Look familiar - It should - it's a rebranded Mann fleece.



Purolator & K&N also rebrand the Mann fleece filter - I won't repeat pics.

I await with keen interest the reply to Jeff W's letter to MBUSA. To start with the Hengst paper filter should be under half the price of the Mann fleece. Secondly - If MBUSA suggests that the Hengst paper filter can go 20,000 Km/13,000 miles then I would like to see proof of performance, nominal & absolute filtration values, Beta ratio of the media & debris carrying capability before pump through or blinding occurs.

Something smells. If it walks like a duck & quacks like a duck - there is a fair chance it is a duck.

I'm not suggesting that the Hengst paper filters are of poor quality - I'm pretty sure they are not. I am querying their ability to match the fleece performance & go 20,000 Kms / 13,000 miles.

Glyn M Ruck

Jeff - Thanks for doing this. We are OK in South Africa, but I'd really like to know what is going on in the US. Benz made such a song & dance about the fleece filter. As an oilco man I've never seen non synthetic media filters do well in long drain unless the sumps of the vehicles are huge & the filter equally so. Then at least the oil charge is less stressed. The trouble with paper is that you can't control the hole size as well as synthetic media - so you have some larger holes that dirt gets through which is why paper filters have a broader spread between nominal & absolute claimed values. Good filtration makes a hell of a difference to engine life - especially if you want to run long drain intervals.

LILBENZ230

The Purolator filter I used the last oil change in my car did not look like the ones you posted pics of Glyn. It said "MANN - made in Germany" on it but it was yellowish and probably paper. I called Atlanta area dealers today, all say no fleece filters for M271. I was told paper ones work just fine for 13k mile drains.

dnlow

I am going to try and see if the Bosch fleece filter is available in my area. Since I plan on keeping this car for a very long time I do not want to have issues with oil getting into the combustion camber when the miles start to get really h

Glyn M Ruck

Hmm - I saw a Mann fleece on another site in a Purolator box in Canada. I do not know what's going on your side. You saw Ausmbtech say that Australia is not running long drain on the paper filter. South Africa does not even run long drain on the fleece filter - we drain at 15,000Km

Interesting - on the K&N website.

They list this for V6 models which is a rebranded Mann fleece



THEY HAVE DROPPED THEIR LISTING FOR THE M271 - They no longer show any oil filter listing for the 1.8 litre engines which tells me they won't put their name on a paper filter. The fleece was listed on their website until recently.

This all makes no sense. The M271 is the most stressed engine in the standard Benz line up. Benz would not have put decals under the hood if they thought the engine did not need the fleece for 13,000 mile drain.

Until resolved - I would reduce drain interval with the paper filter to 9000 miles. It's your car and all I can do is advise. I'm pleased I have a fleece in my V6.

Glyn M Ruck

I would like to see a member, that knows they have a paper filter in their car, and comes from a dry dusty area of the US & maybe does 5% of their mileage on dirt roads, have an oil sample analysed at 13,000 miles. Then we will have some idea how this paper element performs in reality. I'll bet raised silica levels with wear metals in unison.

Jeff W

Okay. I don't really live in a dusty area, but I just did an oil change, and had the oil sampled. This is the first time I have done a change since I bought the car used. The FSS said it was at 13,000 since the last change.
The car now has 44,000, and the old filter was paper. The results are pretty ugly. I think I am only going to go 8000 till the next change.

LILBENZ230

So Glyn was right!